Remove squash from oven and add it to the leeks and shallots. Stir in thyme, sherry and broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.

Remove from heat and blend using an immersion blender or blender until desired consistency. (If using a standard blender, let soup cool slightly before blending.) Reheat if desired. Stir in remaining salt and pepper and wheat germ. Serve immediately.

Potato pancakes aren’t just for special occasions. Make them as a side dish at dinner or for brunch on the weekend. Try serving them with smoked salmon and Greek yogurt for a savory dish, or go more traditional, pairing them with yogurt, apple sauce or even some maple syrup.

Serves 4

1/4 cup olive oil

1 pound baking potatoes, such as Idaho, peeled and shredded with a box grater or food processor (about 3 small)

In large bowl mix together shredded potatoes, wheat germ, onion, salt and pepper. Add egg and stir until well combined. Scoop a generous tablespoon of pancake mixture and place on cookie sheet. Gently flatten pancakes with the palm of your hand.

Season lamb with remaining 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Heat remaining tablespoon oil in large heavy skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown lamb 1 rack at a time, turning once, about 4 minutes per rack. Transfer to 13 x 9-inch pan with sides, arranging fatty sides up.

Spread fatty sides of each rack with 2 teaspoons mustard. Divide wheat germ mixture into 3 portions and pat each portion over mustard coating on each rack, gently pressing to adhere.

The whole family will love making these classic holiday cookies. The dough doesn’t need to be refrigerated and they’re on the healthier side, so you won’t feel like you’re over indulging when you eat one (or two). If you want to hang them on the tree, don’t forget to put a hole in the top before you bake them.

Add wheat germ, ground ginger and half of flour. Stir until combined. Slowly add remaining flour until dough is no longer sticky. (On dry days you may need less flour; on humid days you may need more.)

Sprinkle cutting board with flour and knead dough until smooth. Roll out dough, adding flour as necessary so dough does not stick. Cut into desired shapes.

Gather up the dough scraps and roll them out again to cut more cookies.

bake for 10 to 12 minutes until a light golden brown. Cool completely before icing.

To make icing:

In grease-free mixing bowl, combine sugar and meringue powder. Add water and beat until icing forms peaks (about 8 to 10 minutes with a heavy-duty mixer, 10 to 12 minutes with a handheld mixer.)

Keep icing covered with damp cloth while using it and store in an airtight container (it does not need refrigeration; beat at low speed before using again).

Thanksgiving just isn’t complete without a homemade pumpkin pie. By adding wheat germ and using whole wheat pastry flour, we’ve not only boosted the nutrients but added another tasty dimension to the crust. We’ve also reduced some of the saturated fat by substituting canola oil for some of the butter.

Serves 10

Crust:

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/2 cup Kretschmer Honey Crunch Wheat Germ

1/2 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1/8 teaspoon salt

3 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

1/4 cup canola oil

1 to 3 tablespoons water

Pumpkin Filling:

2 large eggs

1 15-ounce can pumpkin puree

3/4 cup 2 percent evaporated milk

5 tablespoons pure maple syrup

1 3/4 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

1/4 teaspoon salt

In medium bowl add flour, wheat germ, whole wheat pastry flour and salt. Stir to combine. Cut in butter using fingertips until mixture is crumbly and no big lumps of butter remain. Stir in canola oil and add water as needed to form dough into a ball.

Remove dough from freezer. Roll dough between two pieces of parchment paper into a 12-inch circle. If dough cracks, pinch it together.

Remove top sheet of parchment. Place 9-inch glass pie plate on top of dough, rim side down, and flip over with dough and parchment. Peel back parchment and press dough into pie plate. Seal or patch cracks with extra dough pieces.

Trim dough to 1/2-inch overhang. Fold overhang under to create an even rim around the pie. Use fork tines to create design around pie rim. Poke bottom of crust with fork 4 or 5 times.

Pour filling into crust. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes. After 5 minutes, place foil around pie edge to prevent burning. Reduce temperature after 15 minutes to 350° F and bake 30 minutes or until knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Stuffing can be a caloric nightmare if you aren’t careful. This version, with a variety of onions, dried figs, prosciutto and wheat germ, doesn’t compromise taste. It’s bursting with flavor, but won’t load up the calories on that special day.